Novato, CA Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)

Section 19.22.070 (Noise and Construction Hours) is in Division 19.22 of the Novato Zoning Ordinance. Subsection A sets the general rule: no use, activity or process may generate noise beyond its property line above the levels in Table 3-5, except as subsection B provides. Subsection B then exempts a list of activities from those levels, and construction is item 4.

The exempt window covers authorized construction activities, including warming-up or servicing of equipment and any preparation for construction. It runs from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. The section states flatly that no construction is allowed on Sundays or official federal national holidays, except as otherwise authorized by the Community Development Director.

Grading has its own, narrower window. Item 5 exempts authorized grading activities and equipment operations between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays only, and only when City inspectors are available. There is no Saturday grading window in this section.

Two more items matter to builders. Item 6 exempts routine maintenance activities, and item 7 exempts other construction activities authorized in writing by the Community Development Director, so an early concrete pour or a night utility tie-in needs that written authorization in hand.

Subsection D adds that authorized construction activity, and uses established through the discretionary land use permit process, can carry specific noise conditions of approval or mitigation measures that are more restrictive than the hours above. A project's use permit or design review conditions can therefore shorten the hours.

The exemption only relieves a project from the Table 3-5 levels. Section 19.22.090 separately exempts vibration from temporary construction and demolition, and a stop work order under section 19.59.040(D) is available for construction that violates the Zoning Ordinance or a permit condition.